Prince of Ruin

Chapter Six: Theodore

It was never a good day when I found the breakfast table set for two.

Typically my father took breakfast in his office. That was ideal. He ate alone, I ate alone and then I left for work and we didn't have to worry about talking to each other until the evening if at all.

A second place setting at breakfast meant one thing and one thing only.

"Morning, Theodore."

"Father." He walked past me and to his normal spot at the table. This was the breakfast table- not our normal dining table which meant it was much smaller. Which meant it would be more difficult to pretend he wasn't there but I was willing to do my best.

However, it seemed like he didn't have the same ideas. The moment I sat down he cleared his throat.

"Genevieve has gotten the engagement party together, it will be this weekend." My jaw clenched but I simply nodded in acknowledgment of his words. "And of course, you will need to give the girl an engagement ring."

That got my attention.

"I'm aware." I had just wanted to avoid talking about it until I absolutely had no choice but to address it.

"Here, give her this one." He pulled a box from the pocket of his jacket and dropped it on the table. I hesitated because there was no way it was what I thought it was. I reached out and picked it up, opening the top of the blue velvet box and my heart sank.

I had only ever seen this ring in one place.

On the only portrait of my mother I had managed to save. It was hidden up in my room, I'd kept it safe for nearly twenty years now, and painted in exquisite detail on my mother's finger was this ring.

"Mother's ring. You want me to give her my mother's ring?"

"Yes, Theodore. It's not as if your mother needs it now." I stood, knocking over the chair I had occupied. The heavy wood hit the stone floor with a loud cracking sound. "Don't be childish." My father snapped. I closed the box and shoved it into my pocket before storming preventing me from saying something that would start an even bigger fight.

I headed for my room, stowing the ring away in the same hiding place as the portrait and I went to my dresser for the ring I had gotten. Some part of me had kown he would try and pull something like this.

My mother's ring was a true treasure. It was dainty and classic, exactly the kind of ring a woman like my mother had deserved. The ring I had gotten myself- was actually meant for Daphne if I was being honest. I had bought it for Coco but when I had gone shopping for it, I had Daphne's specifications in mind. Things she had said to me over the past couple of years about her dream ring. The result was something- larger. Something less classic and more modern. Something that I figured Coco would either love or hate, it didn't really matter to me either way.

I pocketed that and left, knowing I'd probably stumble across her at work sometime today and if I didn't, I'd leave a little early to find her in her office.

Of course, when I had that thought I meant we'd probably cross paths in the main lobby or maybe even in the cafeteria. I didn't think she'd come strolling into my office- which is exactly what she did.

So far I'd seen Coco wearing going out attire. In that little silk dress from my birthday party, the blue dress from the club over the weekend when I had shamelessly dug my erection into her back. Yeah, that had been fun to try and deal with before I went back to sitting with my friends- anyway, I had also of course seen her in the school uniform. I had never before paid attention what she actually wore to work.